The Selecter

Venue Information

Factory Theatre, Sydney

As a purpose built, dedicated live entertainment venue, the Factory hosts an array of live music and performances - from international rock concerts to intimate cabaret shows, film and dance. The Factory brings a breath of fresh air to Sydney's entertainment scene and a commitment to nurturing emerging performers and acts.

One of the biggest names in Ska 2-Tone, The Selecter, are coming to Bluesfest for the first time – so get your dancing shoes ready!

The original front pair of Pauline Black & Gaps Hendrickson re-launched The Selecter in 2011 and have been blazing new paths since.

They’ve played at major festivals like Coachella and Glastonbury, headlined UK tours and recorded three studio albums, the latest of which, Subculture, is mixed by UK dub-master Prince Fatty. Pauline & Gaps are also scheduled to play fifteen dates in 2015 with Jools Holland, including a gala performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Project Collective Ska joined The Selecter at their Sydney show.

“We’ve been going from strength to strength because the reaction to us as a live band has been absolutely brilliant everywhere we go,” says Pauline, a tireless human and women’s rights activist who’s also hosted shows on Radio 6 Music and written a critically acclaimed autobiography.

You can’t take your eyes off them when they’re on stage. They deliver the same anarchic passion that fuelled Selecter gigs during the 2 Tone era, when they toured with The Specials and Madness at the peak of their early fame. As well as performing enduring popular hits like Three Minute Hero, Missing Words & On My Radio, and others from the Too Much Pressure album they’re writing incredible new material.
Rooted in ska, punk and reggae & they’ve even added a horn section, which fills out their sound magnificently. The quirky melodies and social commentaries remain. Their audiences are getting younger and they’ve succeeded in bringing many of their long-time fans along for the ride as well.

Powerful poignant, ever-evolving, and back with more gusto than ever, The Selecter will deliver Bluesfest with a rare, exciting set – you’ll have no choice but to get moving as soon as you hear their infectious classics!